Hey gang,
not much going on here in this forum. hmm... hopefully I'm not talking to an empty house?
Anyhow, I'm looking for some suggestions. I've recently built up a Sage 896 RPLXi and am now trying to work out my line strategy. I will be using this rod for larger fish duty in Puget Sound.
I figure my first priority is a clear intermediate. Would you recommend an 8 weight or 9 weight for this rod? Also looking for your experience and suggestions with the various brands and models?
In addition to the clear intermediate, what other type of line(s) do you recommend for the arsenal? - fast sink shooting head, floating, and/or multi-head, or multi-tip systems? I'd like to initially limit my aresenal to one reel with two spools.
Actually, there is an avid saltchuck coho group here - perhaps not all that talkative though
I have fished an 896 RPL extensively in both salt and fresh, both coasts. Mine is the original RPL but I figure you probably have a bit more power in the butt section with that blank. I fish the 9wt rplxi frequently in saltwater as well and have cast that 896 quite a bit although I don't own it.
When fishing for saltchuck coho I prefer either an intermediate line or a sinking head line like the Rio deep sea. The sinking head line is probably the most versatile for flyfishing from boats whether out in the shipping lanes or in the tiderips by the kelp for big fish duty. My experience in the straits and beyond has been that when the fish are up, the flyfishing is hot - when they go deep, the flyguys have a tough time of it.
The hi-density head lines can run a little heavy so I wouldn't go over 300 grains since the AFTMA grain rating for 8wt is ~240 I think.
For the most amazing coho fishing you gotta try Leland's floating line and a popper technique! The salmon come out of nowhere and smash the surface popper like Texas largemouths. I was a little skeptical until I saw it myself. I am a believer now! :eyecrazy:
I agree with whatever sink line Juro recommends, afterall, he visits the darkside more often than I do.
I have used the 8wt 3M Mastery Floating Steelhead Taper for my poppers and am currently using the Bonefish Taper. I also have a friend who throws his poppers with the Bass Bug Taper.
Keep in mind, you're usually throwing weighted flies, or wind-resistant poppers on long leaders in the wind.
I have a slower Scott that I use so I don't overline.
The bulk of my fishing for salmon in the salt I use the Airflo clear intermed. Haven't tried Leland' popper trick yet, but use the same line back east fishing gurgler, sliders & crease flies...so long as you start to strip as soon as the line hits the water, it seems to work quite well....
Already looking forward to August when I can try some really small gurglers to see if I can get some Pacifics to hit 'em.
Damn, if I weren't so busy putting together the holiday party and auction/raffle for my flyclub, I'd be throwing poppers right now with my 6wt at searuns along the south Sound beaches.
Leland, I figured you were out there, and I hand a hunch I'd see your nod for the floater. A couple more q's for you.... Are you using the floater with an 8 weight or mostly with the smaller rod? I'm set up fine with the 6 weight and figure it's more of a resident fish set up. Also, how much of an issue is it managing the coil of the bonefish line? Is it the SA Bonefish with the stiffer braided mono core? I have an opportunity on a similar line and am wondering if it would be a good way to go....
For you intermediate guys,
Any particular feedback on the Orvis Sly line? They have it on sale at the moment. How about some of the other makes? After a couple searches, I've seen a real mixed bag in terms of issues such as cracking, coiling, stickiness, etc. Are any better than others? I've had pretty good luck with my 6wt Crtlnd Camo but hear the Clear 444 SL shoots a little further.
I have the 3M Mastery Bonefish Taper on my 6, 8 and 10wt. I use the 6wt and sometimes the 8wt on the beach for searuns and silvers and, occasionally, use the 10wt in heavy seas and winds on big boats.
As far as the coiling and memory goes: I have never gotten used to what a stripping basket does to my stripping and wildly violent double hauls. That being said, I found that the coiling and memory keep the line at my feet where I know where it is. Strangely, I believe the hard coils almost aid in shooting my line.
For the longest time, I would use the Mastery Steelhead Taper for a couple steelhead seasons, then rotate it to my saltwater reel and throw the old saltwater line out cause it was trashed. This was a fine system until I got my first two-hander.
FYI, for my intermediate line, I use the 3M Stillwater line. . . . grudgingly.
the perils of family vacation time.....it never seems to coincide with good fishing!! However, after this summer there will be
a change in the availability of accomodations up there, so I fully expect to make some trips out west when the fishing is actually good in the future.....cannot wait!!
just a few quick thoughts on what i use in comparison to others.
without a doubt, have a clear intermediate in your arsenal.... but if you're fishing out of a boat look at rigging up a shooting head system instead of a full length line. when the wind picks up, one can water load a shooting head... get the necessary distance, and not worry about hitting yourself in the head with a clouser.
also, instead of the deep sea lines juro recommended, i would look at the rio striper lines (the rio striper 26' DC 350 grain is my line of choice). i have used the deep sea lines for blue sharks, and i personally prefer the lines built for colder water (the deep sea is a tropical line). also, i do fish the 350 grain (and lots of clients with little head casting experience) with the 890 rplxi... using the water load.
for serious dredging, look at making up a lead-core shooting head. i like 30' of lead core matched with the rio clear intermediate running line.
the benefit of the shooting head system is that you can mix and match heads on one spool (you can buy the 350 grain heads separetely from rio, plus intermediate heads and lead core).
for floating line work i still prefer a full length line, although it limits me in the wind compared to the sinking lines.
good to discuss coho fishing, brings back fond memories of the great fishing last summer out in the ocean.
chris
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Fly Fishing Forum
163.8K posts
38.8K members
Since 2000
A forum community dedicated to fly fishing and sporting enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about safety, licenses, tips, tricks, rivers, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!